Seeing as how the Diamondbacks are bringing back largely the same group that helped them secure a wild-card spot last year, they enter spring training with relatively few spots up for grabs.

But, as always, there are questions to be answered. Here, with workouts set to begin on Wednesday morning, are five of those questions.

1. Who will pitch the ninth?

Closer Fernando Rodney is gone, having departed as a free agent to the Minnesota Twins, and for as nerve-wracking as his outings could be, the fact remains he was pretty effective. Rodney last year converted 39 of 44 save chances, falling one save short of matching his age.

That leaves the ninth inning up for grabs. The Diamondbacks clearly have a potential frontline closer in Archie Bradley, but they also liked being able to deploy Bradley in a variety of ways as a setup man.

Two newcomers also could be closer candidates. Right-hander Brad Boxberger, who saved 41 games for the Tampa Bay Rays three years ago, will look to show he’s healthy after consecutive injury-riddled seasons. And right-hander Yoshihisa Hirano, who had 143 saves over the past five seasons in Japan, will be trying to establish himself in the majors after signing a two-year deal in December.

2. What will happen in the outfield?

A.J. Pollock and David Peralta are staples in the outfield, but how the Diamondbacks handle their remaining corner spot remains to be seen.

Yasmany Tomas is still under contract, but he’s yet to be a positive overall contributor – at least when measured by the statistic Wins Above Replacement – in any of his three big-league seasons. Plus, the regime that signed him is no longer around.

The Diamondbacks have some versatility on their roster, and perhaps Chris Owings and Chris Herrmann could be options.

It’s also possible the Diamondbacks will continue searching for help in the weeks leading up to Opening Day.

3. Who will play up the middle?

The Diamondbacks have four candidates for two infield spots, and while there’s a configuration that appears most likely, much can change between now and Opening Day.

Nick Ahmed is clearly the Diamondbacks’ best defensive option at shortstop, and given the importance of defense at the position, it would figure that he’d get the nod there. Ketel Marte, meanwhile, showed flashes of being a valuable player on both sides of the ball, and would seem to be the leading candidate to slide over to second base.

But Owings and Drury are also capable options, Owings at both positions and Drury at second.

4. How will their pitching depth stack up?

Building up while staying healthy are always concerns this time of year, and the Diamondbacks will be looking to get through another spring training without dealing with a major injury to a starting pitcher in camp.

With their five-man rotation essentially set in stone – Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Taijuan Walker, Patrick Corbin, Zack Godley – this is a good time of year to take stock of the depth behind them.

Anthony Banda, Braden Shipley and Matt Koch are already on the 40-man roster and are still looking to establish themselves. Shelby Miller is working his way back from injury. Prospect Taylor Clarke is in camp as a non-roster invitee.

Camp could provide glimpses as to how much each could contribute – and whether others might emerge as options.

5. Will the offseason drag on?

Most years, the arrival of pitchers and catchers marks the end of baseball’s offseason. This year feels different, what with the slow pace of the winter likely meaning more signings and trades than normal during spring training.

At this point, it would be a surprise to see the Diamondbacks trade away from their pitching staff, but they do have a glut of position players, so seeing a trade there could make sense.

And, as already mentioned, they appear to still be in the market for an outfielder; perhaps they finally find their man after camp gets underway.

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Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, poses for photos with the Japanese media, as his son, Sena Hirano, 3, clings to his Dad's leg, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks speaks at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks speaks at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/azcentral sports

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks speaks at an introductory press conference through Mack Hayashi, the Diamondbacks' Director of Pacific Rim Operations, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, shakes hands with Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo while speaking at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, gets his Diamondbacks jersey from Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo (left) and Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, while speaking at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, poses for photos with the Japanese media at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, poses for photos with the Japanese media at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, gets his Diamondbacks jersey from Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo (left) and Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, while speaking at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks speaks at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, gets his Diamondbacks jersey from Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo (left) and Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen, while speaking at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo listens as Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, who just signed a contract with the Diamondbacks speaks at an introductory press conference at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale on February 12, 2018. David Wallace/The Republic